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MSC’s gorgeous MSC Yacht Club is proof that not all luxury suite complexes are created equal. This private enclave boasts all the requisite perks you might expect, from lavish suites to grand lounges and private dining areas. MSC sets itself apart by making that complex more accessible than ever before, thanks to the line’s value-priced MSC Yacht Club Inside Staterooms that provide a lot of luxe for a little dough. The modern spa is more than a place to relax; it’s a true escape, where the atmosphere and thermal suite complement state-of-the-art treatments. Norwegian Cruise Line has always recognized this in its Mandara Spa, which keeps getting better. Norwegian Viva and Prima boast the first charcoal saunas at sea in a thermal complex that includes a two-story waterfall, gorgeous salt pools, an ice room and infrared sauna.
Best for Adults-Only Cruise: Virgin Voyages
My husband and I scouted out the best cruises for kids when our own children were young, and since becoming empty nesters, we’ve found the best adults-only cruises and couples cruises. Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style. On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. Luxury cruises tend to be smaller, with more staff per guest and more deluxe amenities. Among the amenities, passengers can enjoy upscale accommodations, spas and sauna facilities, water sports equipment and fine dining.
Norwegian Cruise Line
For those staying in certain room tiers, a concierge team is available to help travelers with special requests and booking excursions. And while Disney cruises primarily cater to families, they aren’t just for kids. The ships offer nightclubs, bars and adult-only pools and dining, too, as well as special activities and clubs for teens. Carnival’s low fares and fun amenities make it a popular choice for those looking for a quick, affordable cruise (although it also offers longer trips to Europe, Australia and more). Its ships cater to travelers looking for an entertaining, exciting getaway — with an emphasis on pools, waterslides, mini-golf and karaoke, plus comedy shows, casino games and nightclubs for adults.
The Best Cruise Lines
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship, but it is exquisite, hosting 330 guests and sailing only in the South Pacific to destinations like Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path. Named the best small-ship ocean cruise line in T+L's 2022 World's Best Awards, Golden said the line is known for Tahitian-inspired massage techniques in the onboard spa and noted that cruisers particularly love the wonderful staff. Viking Cruises is a river and ocean cruise line that recently added expedition sailings and the Great Lakes trips to its repertoire. "T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design," cruise expert Fran Golden reported when Viking once again topped T+L's World's Best Awards last year.
It's the little things that make Oceania Cruises tops when it comes to cuisine, from the initial chopstick selection at Red Ginger to the phenomenal olive oil cart the line rolls out for diners at the Italian-themed Toscana. And, rather than reinventing the wheel, Oceania focuses instead on service and quality - the two most essential ingredients in any shipboard culinary experience. Couple that with an array of specialty dining venues that are completely free of charge, and you've got the recipe for a world-class dining experience at sea. Off-ship experiences include sampling local beer and oysters in Astoria, Oregon; visiting Multnomah Falls or hiking Beacon Rock; and having a private vineyard visit and downtown wine walk in Walla Walla, Washington.
On the Pacific end of your voyage, you'll visit Astoria, Oregon — the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. This coastal city at the mouth of the Columbia River is known for its Victorian homes, wineries, brew pubs, and Lewis and Clark heritage. Next, from Kalama, Washington, you can join an excursion to visit the remnants of the area around Mount St. Helens, which suffered a devastating eruption in 1980.
Solo travelers will find plenty of inclusive programming aboard Holland America Line, including dance classes, wine tastings, cooking demos and lectures. Each sailing hosts a Solo Travelers party where singles can meet each other, and a roommate matching service pairs same-sex travelers in a shared stateroom to save on surcharges. The company shines with an always stellar lineup of onboard experts and guides. Lindblad Expeditions will run a series of domestic trips on the Columbia and Snake rivers aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, both of which have 31 cabins.
Best Cruise Insurance Plans Of April 2024 – Forbes Advisor - Forbes
Best Cruise Insurance Plans Of April 2024 – Forbes Advisor.
Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 22:36:00 GMT [source]
Best for LGBTQ+ Travelers
American Cruise Lines offers this itinerary on four ships from April to October 2024, 2025 and 2026. Three of the ships — American Melody, American Symphony and American Serenade — are 180-passenger modern river ships launched in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The fourth, American Splendor, is a 180-passenger paddlewheeler that debuted in 2016. Yacht Club guests get 24-hour butler service and their own dedicated concierge, plus a premium drink and internet package. They also enjoy complimentary access to the ship’s spa as well as other perks like a luggage packing and unpacking service and priority check-in and check-out. MSC is a European cruise line that offers itineraries in the Caribbean as well as to popular destinations in Europe like the Mediterranean and Norway.
While travel credit cards offer some trip protection, we suggest you check out our list of best cruise travel insurance, as these plans are geared specifically for cruise trips. We used an online cruise insurance marketplace to get a quote for a family of four (two adults and two kids) for a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas. If the family spends $3,200 for the trip, the insurance options range from $158 for basic insurance to $344 for a premium plan. While most cruises are on the ocean, some lines (like Viking) offer trips in smaller vessels that cruise along rivers.
Sessions are well-attended and often hands-on; if you miss one, you can catch it on-demand on your stateroom TV. Don’t miss the “crew show,” where international staff proudly share cultural traditions and dances. Cruise the Hudson round-trip from New York City on American Cruise Lines' seven-night Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise. You'll visit Catskill, home to the Hudson River School Art Trail and the Olana Historic Site, or explore more actively at the Hudson River Skywalk and Kaaterskill Falls. In Albany, founded in 1609, you can tour the newly renovated New York State Capitol building, built in the late 1800s; you can also visit the New York State Museum, which dates to 1836.
The cruise line's relatively new Go Local shore excursions for small groups bring travelers to under-the-radar destinations, T+L contributing editor and long-time cruiser Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon reported recently. Her 2022 cruise on Riviera included 70 excursions "from canoeing Croatia’s Cetina River to cooking classes in Athens." While cruising, you'll enjoy nightly entertainment that celebrates the region's musical heritage.
The food-focused itineraries are organized in partnership with Food & Wine, which, like T+L, is published by Dotdash Meredith. Gone are the days when a Pride Month advertisement and sparsely attended LGBTQ+ gathering were the norm. Virgin Voyages has blasted away the competition by providing a naturally inclusive cruise where LGBTQ+ people are visible from the moment you board. You'll find the latter openly dancing on dance floors, kissing and hugging in bars, and holding hands over dinner. Whether you want to blow the budget on the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas, enjoy the double-height views of a Duplex Suite or see the show from an Aqua Theater Suite, there's a suite to suit your needs on a Royal Caribbean ship.
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